40: Gossip Street

Leaving the White Tiger Hall, Chen Heng took a carriage and hurried toward his home.

Chen Heng and Qi Longhu had just discussed how to deal with the retaliation from the Vermilion Bird Hall.

What kind of good plan could two muscle-headed brutes come up with?

It was just one sentence: "Treat life and death lightly; if you aren't convinced, just fight."

"If you dare to come and cause me trouble, I will fight you, and I will beat you until you dare not come and cause trouble again."

"Big Brother, my brothers and I will head back to the hall first. If there's anything, please just send someone to call us."

In Chen Heng's small courtyard, Yagyu Han cupped his hands in a salute toward Chen Heng.

He could be said to be completely convinced by Chen Heng now.

What was there not to be convinced about regarding a Big Brother who could stand up against a big boss for the sake of his own little brother?

Furthermore, this Big Brother's combat power was off the charts; even a Hua Jin martial artist couldn't last three moves under him.

"Go back and recover well," Chen Heng said, patting Yagyu Han on the shoulder to comfort him.

After the thirty-something burly men had all left, Chen Fugui snuck into the courtyard.

"Son, Dad has something to discuss with you."

Chen Fugui beckoned to Chen Heng, and the father and son walked into Chen Heng's room together.

"Dad, don't go to the shop for now. Wait until I've dealt with all the matters regarding the Vermilion Bird Hall."

After sitting down, Chen Heng spoke.

"Business and such can wait; your dad has something very important to tell you."

Chen Fugui sat up straight with a serious expression on his face.

In his memory, this was the first time Chen Heng had seen his old man so serious, and he couldn't help but sit up straight as well.

"Here is what I'm thinking: you'll be seventeen in three months."

Chen Heng nodded and listened carefully.

"When your dad was your age, you were already rolling around in your mother's belly."

"Here is what Dad thinks: I can understand that you want to have your own career."

"I can also understand that you want to pursue the Dao of martial arts."

"But the path of martial arts is full of dangers; one careless mistake and you could lose your life."

"Shouldn't you first leave an heir for our Chen family?"

"I see that girl Xiao He has grown up well; if you don't want to get married yet, just take Xiao He into your room first."

"Just get a grandson or granddaughter out for your dad first."

"...?" Chen Heng was dumbfounded.

Seeing his dad so serious just now, he thought it was some major matter.

So it was just this all along?

It made him tense up along with him.

"How about it? If you're too shy, your dad will go and talk to Xiao He for you."

Chen Fugui volunteered to get up and find Xiao He.

"Don't! Old man, don't stir up trouble." Chen Heng could roughly guess why Chen Fugui would talk to him about this today.

It was likely because he was scared by today's events.

"How is this stirring up trouble!" Chen Fugui spoke loudly to Chen Heng for the first time.

"Of the three unfilial acts, having no heir is the greatest!"

"Stop, stop, stop!" Chen Heng hurriedly interrupted; if he didn't stop Chen Fugui, he would probably be able to talk for an hour.

"Let's not talk about this for now; your son is doing just fine."

"There is absolutely no need to worry that your son is in danger of dying at any moment."

"How about this: three years, give me three years."

Chen Heng held up three fingers.

"Your son doesn't want to get married and have children so early yet; the pressure is too great. Can I play for another three years?"

"It's a deal then. Three years from now, if your martial arts path isn't going smoothly, you must get married!"

Chen Fugui also knew his son had the temperament of a donkey—the kind that won't move when pushed and backs up when beaten.

So he stopped forcing him.

Putting this matter aside, the father and son began to discuss business matters.

"Dad also knows that you need medicinal materials for martial arts practice, but right now the money in my hands really needs to be used for business."

Chen Fugui sighed and said somewhat helplessly.

"So you can't eat as much as you did in Fulai County. Your dad can at most give you three doses of medicine every day."

"This is still what I bought from Old Man Mu's friend."

"It should be enough for you to eat for over a month."

Chen Heng nodded; having something to eat was enough.

Moreover, that dose of blood refining powder directly increased his internal energy and Qi and blood.

According to the amount of three doses a day, it was equivalent to gaining three years of internal energy and 240 points of Qi and blood in a single day.

Although he didn't know how much Qi and blood other Hua Jin martial artists had, it was certainly not as much as his.

"Also, as for the shop, if we can do it, we will; if not, we'll plan it slowly."

"Whatever you do, don't risk your life."

Chen Fugui patted Chen Heng's shoulder and turned to leave the room.

"Forget it, why think so much?" Chen Heng shook his head and threw his worries to the back of his mind.

"There is only one reason why a person has worries."

"That is that one's strength is not yet strong enough. Once you are invincible in the world, you will have no worries."

"Probably..."

All afternoon, Chen Heng was immersed in the White Tiger Geng Metal Saber and the Eight Extremes Fist.

After eating dinner, Chen Heng sat cross-legged on the bed and began to circulate the Nine Revolutions Longevity Art.

Today he did not turn into a Black Zombie to absorb moon essence.

The sky was covered with dark clouds; he couldn't even find a shadow of the moon, let alone moon essence.

Late at night, Chen Heng opened his eyes.

"Let's go take a look at Goulan Street."

No matter what, that was his territory; he had to take responsibility.

If he could deal with that Anomaly, he wouldn't need to wait for Chen Fugui's business to take off to have enough silver to buy medicine.

Chen Heng was not an indecisive person; if he wanted to do something, he would do it.

Getting up and taking the black fiend blade, Chen Heng walked toward Goulan Street in the west of the city.

Originally, Goulan Street was the hottest place in the entire Qiyang City at night.

But ever since an Anomaly appeared, except for those Prostitutes, there was basically no one left.

But there was one thing to be thankful for: the Anomaly only operated in Goulan Street and had never left Goulan Street.

Otherwise, the entire Qiyang City would suffer.

At night, the entire Qiyang City was surprisingly quiet.

Except for the night watchman beating the clapper on the street, there was no sound at all.

In front of Goulan Street, Chen Heng stopped.

Just as he walked into Goulan Street, Chen Heng felt an oppressive and unsettling atmosphere.

Walking forward along the street, the only things that reached his ears were the sound of the wind and his own footsteps.

The entire Goulan Street was deathly silent.

The small low buildings on both sides of the street also seemed a bit off.

Dim light shone from behind the windows, and sometimes he could see faint shadows moving.

"Why does it feel even scarier than an evil ghost?"

Chen Heng touched his slightly cold neck.

No, the feeling was wrong!

A tuft of curly hair had grown out of his neck.

"I've been hit!"

Feeling that something was wrong, Chen Heng immediately ran toward the outside of Goulan Street.

But Chen Heng had run for nearly five minutes and still hadn't reached the exit.

Under normal circumstances, such a small distance would only take a few seconds.

But now, five minutes had passed, and Chen Heng seemed to still be running in circles in the same place.

"This is troublesome..."

Cold sweat broke out on Chen Heng's forehead.

If it were something like a demon or an evil ghost, Chen Heng wouldn't really be afraid of them.

At worst, he would just slash them to death with one strike.

But this Anomaly made Chen Heng feel, for the first time, pressure like a mountain.

Never mind slashing it to death, he couldn't even find where the enemy was right now!